Early diagnosis and treatment of
acute ischemic stroke poses a significant challenge due to its suddenness and short therapeutic time window. Human endogenous cells derived biomimetic
drug carriers have provided new options for
stroke theranostics since these cells have higher biosafety and targeting abilities than artificial carriers. Inspired by natural platelets (PLTs) and their role in targeting adhesion to the damaged blood vessel during
thrombus formation, we fabricated a biomimetic nanocarrier comprising a PLT membrane envelope loaded with
l-arginine and γ-Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles (PAMNs) for
thrombus-targeted delivery of
l-arginine and in situ generation of
nitric oxide (NO). Results demonstrate that the engineered 200 nm PAMNs inherit the natural properties of the PLT membrane and achieve rapid targeting to
ischemic stroke lesions under the guidance of an external magnetic field. Subsequent to the release of
l-arginine at the
thrombus site, endothelial cells produce NO, which promotes vasodilation to disrupt the local PLT aggregation. Rapid targeting of PAMNs to
stroke lesions as well as in situ generation of NO prompts vasodilation, recovery of blood flow, and reperfusion of the
stroke microvascular. Thus, these PLT membrane derived nanocarriers are diagnostically beneficial for localizing
stroke lesions and a promising modality for executing
therapies.